Music

Get an inside look at Champaign-Urbana’s vintage instrument repair and superior sound technicians.

This Friday, the Daytrotter crew returns to the Kalyx Center with another solid lineup in tow.

A night at Mike ‘N Molly’s reveals the importance of having a stage show and acting like you give a fuck in the blog era.

Risin’ up, back on the street / Did my time, took my chances  / Went the distance, now I’m back on my feet / Just a man and his will to survive…

Catching up on releases that slipped under our radar this summer, including Evil Tents, Horrible Things, Petunias and more.

Those pesky students done showed up again. Flee, flee to downtown Champaign.

Before the students return, the townies are still churnin’ it out for the homies.

It may be August, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Celtic music.

It’s here. Now you get to plan things!

With a new Kohl’s campaign that prominently features the band launching nationally, Elsinore releases a well-timed new EP.

We’ve got thrash punk legends, the Nature’s Table reunion, and a bunch of bands with one-word names.

The “echoey wasteland” of sound on this Pygmalion band’s first full-length doesn’t help Chris overcome his distaste for chillwave.

Danny immerses himself in the reactionary noise-fest that ran against Pitchfork, and comes out with some thoughts on the true nature of experimentalism.

And god said, “Let there be Ray-Bans.”

Metalfest is here. Festerfuck.

We’ve got the lowdown on who to check out this weekend in Chicago, including some artists that are playing Pygmalion.

Beyoncé’s new album contains nods to ’90s artists such as Toni Braxton and Gloria Estefan, and this makes a believer out of Chris.

We look back on the year in punk and DIY, with a focus on the house venues that are ending their runs in the near future (or have already).

Not going to Pitchfork? Don’t worry, there’s plenty of great music going on in Champaign-Urbana too.

Chris reviews debut albums from two bands that garnered a lot of internet buzz long before they had thirty minutes worth of music.

The action isn’t exactly at the usual venues this week. Get out and see a show somewhere new.

It’s good to see bands still releasing cassettes.

Music, beer, and freedom. Ain’t that America?

Nothing is Wrong is more than alright

The Curses’ debut album is nice mix of jazz, blues and swing, but it mostly leaves Chris craving the band’s live performance.

Shoegaze, midwestern emo and electronica (mostly) round out this year’s lineup, with a little more Kinsella thrown in for good measure. And for the first time, the festival has a Sunday headliner.

Streetfest season is here. Gentlemen, start your boners.

Cody expects that the laid-back Portland indie-folkies will make a great companion for a mellow summer Tuesday at Highdive.

Elzie Sexton has a big summer planned, with a My Werewolf Diary self-release, the new New Ruins album, and — wait, what’s this about Isaac Brock?

Recently-relocated Doug sees ghosts of C-U everywhere he goes in Eau Claire, but Bon Iver’s new album helps open the cracks to a new life.

This week brings acid jazz, thrash, indie, and some heavier stuff as well.

After consecutive years of listening to the Brat Pack, Brian Mertz has had enough. His suggestion: put some original artists and DJs on stage and make an original show we can call our own.

We decided to put our collective brains together to compile a list of songs for your summertime needs. Here are 15 of our picks (in no particular order). We know you’ll add more.

Hey, did you know there’s a jazz festival at the Iron Post this weekend?

Former World’s First Flying Machine frontman offers a solo record that is both a statement and a tease.

Everybody’s talkin’ about the Louisville band’s latest release, and with good reason, as they bounce back with a return to their roots.

Punk, bossa nova, calculators — this week has it all.

Swedish rockers The Soundtrack of Our Lives to play Highdive on Thursday.

With a new, smaller stage and a new series of Tuesday punk shows, things are finally getting heavy at the Highdive again.

In a world where Common is “vile” and “dangerous”, Chris wonders if Tyler provides easy kindling to those who claim rap glamorizes violence and misogyny.

With Canopy shut down for the week due to Summercamp, most of the action is in downtown Champaign. Hope you like beer gardens.

It’s been a while. Let us catch you up on what’s going down.

After ripping into the local scene last month, the local singer/songwriter looks to the future and gives some insight into his songwriting process.

School’s out. Shows are not.

Those looking for a historical retread might be disappointed, but Chris says there’s still a lot to like in Davey von Bohlen & Co.’s latest release.

Good show at Assembly Hall, disappointing turnout.

Washed Out, Cut Copy and the Dodos, oh boy!

In a week where the main venues in town go to DJ mode, there are still shows at other places.